Knox County's two Democratic legislators face elimination game in redistricting | Ashe
Do not be surprised if Gloria Johnson and Sam McKenzie, both Democrats, are placed in the same House district by the state legislature under House and Senate redistricting underway.
They will either have to run against each other in the August Democratic primary, or one can move to another district — which might be a more Republican one. Or one might bow out.
Because of significant population growth in Middle Tennessee, both rural East and West Tennessee will lose one House seat each to Middle Tennessee.
Knox County will likely keep its current seven House seats, but population shifts mean the boundaries of these seven districts will change.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, who lives in Anderson County, will continue to represent a portion of Knox County in the state Senate.
County Commissioner Larsen Jay, who is seeking a second term, is moving to West Hills this month from West Knox County. He plans on building a new home in Sequoyah Hills next year. Jay is an at-large commissioner so can live anywhere in the county.
While he says he is concentrating only on winning his County Commission Republican primary next May, with the general election in August, there is speculation in the business community he may run for city mayor in 2023 if reelected.
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty has been a strong opponent of President Joe Biden on many domestic issues, along with Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
However, he has also played a pivotal role rescuing Biden on several foreign policy issues. He also announced his support for Jerome Powell to be reappointed chair of the Federal Reserve on the day he was named. Biden will need several GOP senators to vote to confirm Powell, who is opposed by several Democrats, including ultra-liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
The same situation occurred when Hagerty not only supported but actually introduced former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing to be ambassador to Japan. Hagerty has previously held that position. Emanuel is also a former Democratic congressman and chief of staff to President Barack Obama.
Hagerty was careful to point out that on domestic issues he and Emanuel seldom agree, but on Japan they do agree on the threat China poses to Japan and the West. It appears Hagerty is finding issues where he can support bipartisanship without facing a backlash from Trump backers.
Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Knoxville businessman Jordan Mollenhour, 40, to the State Board of Education, replacing former Chamber CEO Mike Edwards, whose term expired. Mollenhour’s five-year appointment must be confirmed by the legislature.
The state board deals with many hot-button issues.
Mollenhour is a University of Tennessee College of Law graduate. He and his wife have four children who are homeschooled. Mollenhour is a highly respected and hard-working businessman who serves on several nonprofit boards. He is mentioned as a potential candidate for state or local office.
He will be an energetic and inquisitive board member, which will be refreshing. There are 11 members on the board — one from each congressional district.
Birthdays
Dec. 16: Brent Watson is 66. Former city architect David Collins is 65. Mary Kay Sullivan is 79. Valeta Norris is 59.
Dec. 17: Anna Toon is 38. Beverly Ritchie Gill is 83. Clayton Christenberry is 81. John McCallie Jr. is 75. Former state Rep. Martin Daniel is 65. Pope Francis is 85.
Dec. 18: Archie Ellis is 70. Former City Council candidate Garrett Holt is 28. Ken Creed is 81. Mary English is 77. Mike Wirth is 70. Vivian U. Shipe is 66.
Dec. 19: Bob Kesling is 68. Jenny Boyd, wife of UT President Randy Boyd, is 64. Josie Hylton is 90. Dr. Mark Overholt is 57. Pye Conway is 84. Knox News journalist Ryan Wilusz is 27. Thelma Williams, wife of Farragut Mayor Ron Williams, is 78.
Dec. 20: Sheriff Tom Spangler is 63.
Dec. 21: Brad Anders is 49. Hancen Sale is 24. Attorney Heidi Barcus is 56. Jim Cortese is 68. John L. Billings is 42.
Dec. 22: Avice E. Reid is 69. TV personality Diane Sawyer is 76. Attorney Jack Whetsel is 37. Karen Robinson is 61. Victor Jernigan is 71.
Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Democrats face redistricting elimination game | Ashe
